Kids Courses 2016

Each year during the early part of August the Society runs two 3 day courses where students learn some fundamentals of steam power and model engineering. The courses are run in conjunction with South Downs Leisure and are open to young boys and girls between the ages of 10 and 14.

The first day of the course starts with a lesson on steam power with live demonstrations using working model steam engines. This is followed by a workshop where the students construct a propeller driven model car using basic materials such as balsa wood cut from templates. The propeller is driven by a battery powered electric motor.  

During the course students gain practical experience of basic lathe and power drill working. The students use these workshop tools to fabricate various metal components for the model cars. In addition, on the second day, the students use the tools to construct a working model steam turbine from other metal components. 

On the final day of the course the students learn the fundamentals of a 5" gauge miniature live steam engine under the careful tuition of experienced Society drivers and engineers. Each students gets to drive the locomotives, completing several laps of our 1/4 mile track.